The cattle farming industry in the US is very vast and is made up of several exotic breeds of cattle that have been domesticated in the US.

Cattle raised in the US serve two main purposes: beef production and milk production.

Top Cattle Breeds in US

The main uses of cattle farming in the US are accomplished with these top breeds of cattle in the US:

 

1. Ancient White Park

 

This cattle breed is an ancient feral British cattle now raised for beef. Adult weight for male is between 1,000lbs to 1,300lbs while adult female weight between 800lbs to 1000lbs.

This cattle has an aggressive temperament with excellent mothering ability. Farmers have to be experienced in cattle farming to raise this breed.

 

 

2. Ankole-Watusi

This cattle is of East-African origin. It has huge horns and it’s gentle in nature. This cattle breed is very good for beef production. Adult male weigh between 1,000lbs to 1,600lbs while adult females weigh between 900lbs to 1,200lbs

 

 

3. Belted Galloway

This cattle breed traces its origin to Scotland. It is a polled (doesn’t have horns), long-haired cattle that produces high quality beef. It is also an efficient grazer and it isn’t suited for warm climate regions.

It has a docile nature and can be raised by farmers who have a novice to intermediate experience level in cattle farming. Males weigh about 1,600lbs while females weigh about 1,000lbs

 

4. Corriente

This is an agile cattle that is often used as a rodeo cattle. Its origin is from Mexico. Corriente breed is good for beef production. It has a docile and alert temperament and can be raised by farmers with intermediate experience in cattle farming. Adult males weigh about 1,000lbs while females typically weigh 600lbs. They are hardy and self-sufficient cattle.

 

 

5. Red Devon

This cattle breed is of English origin with a docile temperament. It is hardy and efficient for grass-based beef production. Farmers with intermediate experience in cattle farming can raise them. The adult males weigh between 1,600lbs to 2,000lbs while adult females weigh about 1,000lbs. This cattle breed has a docile temperament.

 

 

 

6. Dexter

This is a dual-purpose cattle breed (good for both beef and milk production). It’s dwarf in stature, docile in temperament with excellent mothering ability. When used for milk production, it can give an output of about 7,000lbs of milk per year. Adult males typically weigh 1,000lbs or less, while adult females weigh 700lbs and below

 

 

7. Dutch Belted

This is a long-lived dairy cattle that has excellent milk production ability (can produce up to 20,000lbs of milk per year). It traces its origin to Netherlands. Adult males weigh between 1,600lbs to 1,800lbs while adult females weigh between 1,000lbs to 1,200lbs.

This cattle breed has a docile temperament and is suitable for farmers with novice to intermediate experience in cattle farming

 

8. Florida Cracker

This is a cattle breed of U.S ancestry and it is good for beef production. It has a mostly docile but active temperament. Adult males weigh between 800lbs to 1,200lbs while adult females weigh between 600lbs to 800lbs. Some of this cattle breed are dwarf in nature.

 

 

9. Galloway

This is a shaggy beef cattle that forages well. It is very good for high-quality beef production. It has excellent mothering ability. This cattle breed traces its origin to Scotland and it has a docile temperament. Adult males weigh between 1,800lbs to 2,000lbs and adult females typically weigh 1,200lbs

 

 

10. Guernsey

This is a very good dairy cattle breed in the U.S. It can produce up to 16,200lbs of high protein milk per year. This cattle breed is of English origin and the typical weight for adult males and females are 2,000lbs and 1,400lbs respectively. This cattle is docile in nature and is well-suited for temperate climatic regions.

 

 

11. Kerry

This is a small and rugged dairy cattle breed of Irish origins. It can produce between 5,000lbs to 7,000lbs of milk per year. It is docile in temperament but can be assertive. Adult males weigh about 1,000lbs while adult females weigh about 800lbs

 

 

12. Lincoln Red

This is a cattle breed raised for beef. This breed of cattle has very good growth rate and excellent temperament. Adult males can grow up to 2,000lbs in size while the females can grow up to 1,500lbs in size. This cattle breed is well-suited for cold climates.

 

13. Milking Devon

This is a cattle breed that its ancestry is rooted in the U.S. It is a tripe purpose cattle breed which means it can be raised for beef, milk and hide. Its temperament switches from docile to alert and active. The adult male weighs between 1,600lbs to 1,800lbs while the females weigh between 1,000lbs to 1,200lbs

 

 

14. Red Poll

This is a polled cattle which originated from England. It can be raised for both beef and milk production. As a milk producer, it is highly efficient. It can produce up to 10,000lbs of milk yearly. It is also a very fertile cattle breed. Adult males weigh about 1,800lbs and females weigh about 1,200lbs

 

 

15. Texas Longhorn

This cattle breed originated in the U.S and it’s good for beef production. Temperamentally, it’s both docile and active. It is an efficient range cattle, long-lived, fertile and adaptable. Adult males weigh between 800lbs to 1,200lbs while adult females weigh between 600lbs to 800lbs

 

 

16. Angus

The Angus breed (originally referred to as “Aberdeen-Angus”) was developed in northeastern Scotland primarily in the counties of Aberdeen, Angus, Banff, and Kincardine. They are good for beef production.

 

The most popular type is Black Angus. Angus cattle have no horns from birth because they are naturally polled. Because it avoids the need for dehorning and lowers the risk of injury to workers and animals, this is a highly desired trait for ranchers. Angus are classified as medium-to-large cattle. Mature females normally weigh between 1,000 and 1,300 pounds, whereas mature males typically weigh between 1,800 and 2,400 pounds.

 

 

17. Charolais

The Charolais originated in west central France in the Charolles district and in several neighboring departments (provinces). They have a long, deep, and broad body with exceptionally heavy muscling, particularly in the hindquarters and loins. This cattle breed is good for beef production

 

They have a unique white, cream, or light wheaten color. Their skin is uncolored, whereas their muzzle and hooves are usually pink or flesh-colored. Charolais are one of the largest cattle breeds. Mature adult males (bulls) weigh between 2,200 and 3,600 pounds, whereas mature adult females (cows) weigh 1,500 to 2,000 pounds.

 

 

18. Gelbvieh

The Gelbvieh or “German Yellow” breed was developed in the Franconian area of northern Bavaria in southern Germany. They are used primarily for meat and milk production.

 

Gelbvieh cattle are typically golden-red to reddish-gold, with lighter coloring around the eyes, nose, and underbelly. Mature bulls (adult males) typically weigh 2,000 to 2,400 pounds, whereas mature cows (adult females) weigh 1,200 to 1,400 pounds. Extensive selective breeding has resulted in the great majority of modern Gelbvieh cattle being naturally polled (hornless).

 

19. Limousin

The Limousin cattle breed originated in the province of Limousin, now the departments (provinces) of Haute-Vienne and Corrèze, in west central France. The Limousin has enjoyed broad acceptance throughout North America primarily because of its efficient production of red meat.

 

Limousin cattle have a characteristic golden-red to wheat coloration, with lighter circles around their eyes and muzzle. However, to fulfill commercial ranching tastes in North America and other regions, a well-known Black Limousin line has been widely bred.

 

They have a particular physical profile that includes great muscle development, a long torso, a broad back, and very deep, thick hindquarters. They are a medium-to-large frame breed. Mature bulls weigh about 2,000 to 2,500 pounds, while mature cows weigh around 1,300 to 1,500 pounds. Originally horned, intense selective breeding has resulted in a significant population of naturally polled (hornless).

 

20. Piedmontese

This cattle breed originated from Italy through the mating of migrant Brahman cattle from Pakistan and local Italian cattle breeds called Aurochs. Piedmontese cattle breed are good for beef production.

 

Piedmontese calves have a pale tan or white color at birth. As they get older, they become grayish-white. Bulls have prominent dark gray to black coloration around their necks, shoulders, eyes, and back. They have black skin, muzzles, hooves, and tail switches. They are a medium-framed breed with fine, light bone structures, which means that more of the animal's weight is meat. Mature bulls normally weigh 1,800 to 2,200 pounds, and mature cows average 1,200 to 1,400 pounds.

 

 

21. Hereford

The Hereford originated in the county of Hereford which is located in southwestern England.

 

Herefords are immediately recognizable by their red bodies and striking white faces. This white coloring also extends to their crest, dewlap, underline, lower legs, and tail switch—a pattern often referred to as the "white-faced" trait. Hereford cattle breed is split into two distinct, fully registered types: horned and polled (hornless).

 

They have a medium-to-large, deep-bodied frame with a low center of gravity. Mature bulls typically weigh 2,000 to 2,600 pounds, while mature cows average 1,200 to 1,500 pounds. Hereford cattle are good for beef production.

 

22. Simmental

The Simmental originated in central western Switzerland in the Simme River Valley, from which it takes its name. In English, the word “tal” means valley; hence, the name Simmental. They are used for beef and milk production.

Simmentals are a large-frame cattle breed with heavy bone structures and thick muscling. Mature males (bulls) typically weigh 2,200lbs to 2,800lbs, while mature females (cows) average 1,300 to 1,600 pounds. They are naturally a horned breed but extensive genetic selection has made a large portion of the modern global beef Simmental population naturally polled (hornless)

 

23. Brahman

The best specimens of the modern Brahman cattle breed are moderately deep bodied and very thick and muscular throughout. Brahman cows are good milkers and mothers. Due to their heat tolerance and insect resistance, Brahman crossbred cattle have contributed immeasurably to profitable beef production throughout the gulf coastal region of the U.S

Brahman cattle breed have a unique large hump above their shoulders and neck—this is a classic feature of Bos indicus cattle. The hump serves as a means of storing energy. Brahman cattle come in light grey, dark grey, silvery grey or red. The adult males are darker than the adult females. Brahman are a medium-to-large cattle breed with the bulls (adult males) weighing between 1,600lbs to 2,200lbs while the cows (adult females) weigh between 1,000lbs to 1,400lbs.

 

24. Holstein

The precise origins of the Friesian are difficult to determine, but it is reported that in the 18th century, herds of small black and white cattle were brought into northern Holland and Friesland from northern Jutland. Today it is a dairy breed with milk yields highest in the cows of North Holland (11,500lbs), and slightly lower in the cows of Friesland (10,700lbs).

 

Fat content averages 4.1%. The Friesian is a medium-sized breed; mature cows weigh 1,400 to 1,500lbs, and mature bulls about 2,300lbs. In body type, it is much heavier-muscled than the North American Holstein. They are excellent milk producers (over 20,000lbs of milk per year!)

 

25. Wagyu

The word Wagyu refers to all Japanese beef cattle. “Wa” means Japanese or Japanese-style, and “gyu” means cattle. The original cattle of Japan were Turano-Mongolian animals, an ancient type of Asian cattle that are believed to have been imported from Korea. The Wagyu is lighter-muscled and smaller in size than most British or Continental breeds.

 

Mature cows weigh about 950 lbs., and mature bulls about 1400 lbs. The Wagyu produces a high quality beef product, but lacks the growth rate of the European breeds

 

 

Sources and References

Breeds of Beef and Multi-Purpose Cattle by Professor Harlan Ritchie

The Livestock Conservancy